Document Information

Date: 2023-07-12 [Updated 2025-08-13]
By: PrimaryDocuments.ca
Citation: PrimaryDocuments.ca, Section 29, Denominational Schools: Compilation of primary documents to assist in interpreting the public meaning of Section 29 of the Constitution Act, 1982, Second Ed. (August 2025).
Other formats: Click here to view the original document (PDF).
Please Note: Due to recent discoveries of new Charter drafts (which will be published in an upcoming academic paper and are available on our site), users are advised to consult this table, which has an up-to-date drafting history for Section 29. This table replaces the drafting history found below in this report. 

The PDF and HTML below will not always align. The PDF serves as a record in time, whereas the HTML will constantly be updated. The PDF will be updated occasionally and all former versions of the report will be available for download when a new version is uploaded. For now, the PDF contains the original version of the report.

SECTION 29

Denominational Schools

Compilation of primary documents to assist in interpreting the public meaning of Section 29 of the Constitution Act, 1982

Second Edition

August, 2025

The Constitution Act, 1982

Part I. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

General

Rights respecting certain schools preserved

Section 29 Nothing in this Charter abrogates or derogates from any rights or privileges guaranteed by or under the Constitution of Canada in respect of denominational, separate or dissentient schools.

PART 1:

Drafting History of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms Pertaining to Section 29’s Public Meaning

Drafts of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms:

February 13, 1981: Draft Tabled in House of Commons from the Special Joint Committee on the Constitution [Final Report]
April 23, 1981: House of Commons Draft, used in Reference Re: Resolution to Amend the Constitution
November 18, 1981: House of Commons Draft
November 24, 1981: House of Commons Draft
November 26, 1981: House of Commons Draft
December 2, 1981: House of Commons Draft & Vote

Statutes and International Agreements:

[This section is incomplete]

—————o0o—————

Drafts of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

February 13, 1981: Draft Tabled in House of Commons from the Special Joint Committee on the Constitution [Final Report]

28. Nothing in this Charter abrogates or derogates from any rights or privileges guaranteed by or under the Constitution of Canada in respect of denominational, separate or dissentient schools.

(Source: Canada, Parliament, Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence of the Special Joint Committee of the Senate and of the House of Commons on the Constitution of Canada, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, No 57 [Final Report] (13 February 1981). Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

April 23, 1981: House of Commons Draft, used in Reference Re: Resolution to Amend the Constitution

29. Nothing in this Charter abrogates or derogates from any rights or privileges guaranteed by or under the Constitution of Canada in respect of denominational, separate or dissentient schools.

(Source: Canada, House of Commons Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1981 at 9470-9471. Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

November 18, 1981: House of Commons Draft

29. Nothing in this Charter abrogates or derogates from any rights or privileges guaranteed by or under the Constitution of Canada in respect of denominational, separate or dissentient schools.

(Source: Canada, House of Commons Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1981 at 12983-13011. Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

November 24, 1981: House of Commons Draft

29. Nothing in this Charter abrogates or derogates from any rights or privileges guaranteed by or under the Constitution of Canada in respect of denominational, separate or dissentient schools.

(Source: Canada, House of Commons Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1981 at 4128-4130. Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

November 26, 1981: House of Commons Draft

29. Nothing in this Charter abrogates or derogates from any rights or privileges guaranteed by or under the Constitution of Canada in respect of denominational, separate or dissentient schools.

(Source: Canada, House of Commons Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1981 at 13338-13346. Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

December 2, 1981: House of Commons Draft & Vote

29. Nothing in this Charter abrogates or derogates from any rights or privileges guaranteed by or under the Constitution of Canada in respect of denominational, separate or dissentient schools.

(Source: Canada, House of Commons Debates, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, 1981 at 13632-13663. Click HERE)

—–o0o—–

French:

February 13, 1981: Special Joint Committee, Final Report Submitted to Parliament:

29 Les dispositions de la présente charte ne portent pas atteinte aux droits ou privilèges garantis en vertu de la Constitution du Canada concernant les écoles séparées et autres écoles confessionnelles.

(Source: Canada, Parliament, Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence of the Special Joint Committee of the Senate and of the House of Commons on the Constitution of Canada, 32nd Parl, 1st Sess, No 57 (13 February 1981). Click HERE.)

Previous Versions of this Report: [Version 1]